Naidu rues unfinished bifurcation-related issues

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday expressed displeasure over Centre not completing the division of government institutions listed under Schedule 9 and 10 of the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014, even two years after the bifurcation of the state.

"This has been creating trouble between the two neighbouring states," Chandrababu said, adding it was the Centre's responsibility to resolve the issue expeditiously.

The Chief Minister addressed a teleconference with 5,600 officials, people's representatives, Telugu Desam Party MLAs and others from his residence in Vijayawada during which he discussed the bifurcation-related issues, a release from his office said.

Chandrababu also vent his ire at the Centre for releasing only Rs. 2,300 crore to bridge state's revenue deficit caused by the bifurcation.

"Our revenue deficit in the first year (after bifurcation) is Rs 16,000 crore but the Centre released only Rs. 2,300 crore for bridging the gap. The 14th Finance Commission clearly stated that we will still be reeling under a huge fiscal deficit even in 2019-20," he pointed out.

With great difficulty, AP could increase its income from 47% to 50.33% in the last two years, he said.

But the state recorded an economic growth rate of 10.99 per cent that was three per cent more than the national average.

In terms of per capita income, however, AP lagged behind all other southern states, the Chief Minister said.

"Hence, the Centre should extend all the support to us till we grow equally with other states. We should not rest till we achieve that," he added.

"We are at a turn in history. If we are careless, we will go back but if we go ahead with a determination, we can achieve unimaginable results," Chandrababu said.